Conveyer system



Sept. 14, 1954 2,688,935

R. J. BROOKS CONVEYEZR SYSTEM Filed May 29, 1951 4 SheentS-Sheet lHave/v f5 R. J. BROOKS CONVEYER SYSTEM sept. 14, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed May 29, 1 951 Sept. 14, 1954 Filed May 29, 1951 R. J. BROOKSCONVEYER SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 'o' I/vrsfvrofe Filed May 29, 1951 4Sheets-Sheet 4 ZW/Affare 6626er ZAM( eco/Cs qml @d e.

Patented Sept. 14, 1954 CONVEYER SYSTEM Robert John Brooks, Hitchin,England, assignor to Geo. W. King Limited, Hitchin, England, a

British company Application May 29, 1951, Serial No. 228,900

Claims priority, application Great Britain June 1, 195,0

7 Claims.

This invention relates to conveyor systems of the type wherein loadcarrying trolleys are propelled along a track by virtue of theengagement therewith of pusher dogs or driving abutments carried by adriving chain which is itself suspended from trolleys adapted to run ona second track disposed above that on which the load carrying trolleysare caused to run.

It is the chief object of the invention to provide a transfer mechanismadapted to transfer load carrying trollies from one conveyor of the typeset forth to a second of similar type, the two conveyors being disposedin proximity to each other at one point and there being a connectionbetween the respective tracks which support the load carrying trollies.

According to the invention in a conveyor system wherein two conveyors ofthe type set forth are so arranged as to be in proximity lto each otherat one point, there being a connection between the tracks for the loadcarrying trollies so that the latter may pass from one conveyor to theother, a transfer mechanism is provided which includes means operableautomatically on the passage of a trolley from the track of the rstconveyor to that of the second so that as said trolley passes out ofcontact with a pusher dog on the driving chain of the first conveyor itwill be positively propelled into a position wherein it will be engageddirectly by a pusher dog carried by the driving chain of the secondconveyor.

Preferably the arrangement is such that the driving chain of oneconveyor is caused to pass around a terminal or a corner chain wheel ofknown type which is conveniently disposed in relation to the junctionbetween the two conveyors and an arm or the like is provided which iscapable of an angular motion about a fixed vertical axis while alsobeing capable of a pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, means alsobeing yprovided which are operative on switching of a trolley from oneconveyor to the other to cause the arm or the like to be coupled to thechain wheel and to be moved angularly thereby into a position to engagethe trolley and' simultaneously to lie in the path of the pusher dogs ordriving abutments carried by the driving chain of the second conveyor sothat a drive will be transmitted to the trolley from one of said dogs orabutments via the arm or the like until such time as said trolley ismoved suiciently along the second conveyor to be driven directly by saiddog or abutment whereupon the arm or the like is withdrawn and returnedto its inoperative position.

In order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readilycarried into effect the same will now be more fully described withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a transfer mechanism when in the inoperativeposition, certain parts of the mechanism having been omitted to permitof better illustration.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view similar to ythat shown in Figure 1 but showingthe mechanism at one stage during the operation thereof;

Figure 4 is a side elevational View of a detail;

Figure 5 is a plan view similar to that shown in Figures 1 and 3 butwith the corner chain wheel of the branch conveyor omitted and showingthe mechanism in a position intermediate that of Figures 1 and 3.

Referring now to the drawings, I0 denotes the track of a main conveyoralong which load carrying trolleys one of which is indicated at II, areadapted to run, said trolleys being propelled by means of pusher dogs ordriving abutments I2 carried by a driving chain I3 which is suspendedfrom trolleys I4 adapted to run on a second track, hereinafter termedthe chain track, disposed above the track I0. At a selected point in thetrack III a branch load carrying trolley track I5 is provided, the loadtrolleys being switched from the main track to said branch track lwhenrequired through the medium of a pivoted switch tongue or the like I 6of known type which is operable in any convenient manner.

Disposed at a convenient point adjacent the junction of the main andbranch tracks III and I5 is a chain wheel I'I which is rotatable about avertical axis. The chain wheel I'I is adapted to provide a corner orterminal wheel around which a second driving chain I8 is adapted topass, said second chain having pusher dogs or the like I9 associatedtherewith and being so dis- I posed that after passing around said wheelone run or flight thereof will be caused to travel in a path above thebranch track I5 so that load carrying trolleys diverted on to saidbranch track may be driven therealong.

Freely mounted on the shaft 20 carrying the chain wheel I'I is an arm 2lwhich projects radially with respect to said shaft and is of such alength that it will bridge the centres of the chains both in the mainand subsidiary conveyors. In addition to being freely rotatable aboutthe aforesaid shaft the arm is capable of a pivotal movement about ahorizontal axis 22, i. e. it is capable of being swung upwardly ordownwardly while being also rotatable about said shaft. Disposedconcentrically with respect to the shaft is a circular track 23 on whicha roller 24 associated with the arm 2| is adapted to run, the rollerserving thus to support said arm while allowing free rotational movementthereof. The circular track 23 includes a movable section 25 which iscapable ,of being raised and lowered with respect to the remainder ofthe track, the arrangement beingy such that vertical movement of saidsection will result in a corresponding vertical movement of the arm 2|.

The arrangement is suc h that normally the movable section 25 will bedisposed below the level of the circular track 23 as shown in Figure 2being adapted on actuation to be moved up into a position where it is inalignment with and forms a part of said track.

Pivotally mounted on the arm 2| is a lever 26 carrying a friction pad orthe like 21 the arrangement being such that with said arm in itsuppermost position (i. e. when the roller 24 associated therewith isrunning on the circular track 23 and is in rolling contact with themovable section 23' when in its uppermost position), the friction padwill be caused to bear against the undersurface of the chain wheel I1.As indicated above, the chain wheel |1 is caused to rotate by virtue ofthe passage therearound of the second chain I3 to which latter a driveis imparted in any suitable manner and the arrangement is therefore suchthat when the friction pad 21 is brought into engagement with said wheela drive will also be imparted to said arm 2|. In order to provide thenecessary pressure on the lever to allow f the provision of asatisfactory friction drive said lever is provided with a suitablecounterweight 28. The mechanism above described isadapted to operate asfollows:

Prior to operation, i. e. when the mechanism is inoperative as shown inFigures l and 2 and the load carrying trolleys are all propelled alongthe main conveyor track II), the roller 24 associated with the arm 2|will be in engagement with the movable section 25 of the circular track23 which section is then in its lowermost position so that the arm 2|will correspondingly be in its lowermost position with the result thatthe friction pad 2,1 will be out of engagement with the chain wheel I1.

Upon switching of a load carrying trolley II from the main track I0 tothe branch track l5, the mechanism will be brought into operation. Assoon as the trolley II leaves the main track it is adapted tol contact alever 29 which is operatively connected to the movable section 25 of thecircular track 23 and is adapted on operation to effect raising of saidsection. Power for operation of the aforesaid lever 2S is derived fromthe pusher dog or driving abutment I2 which was in engagement with thetrolley II when on the main conveyor l0. Raising of the section 25 inturn causes lifting of the arm 2| and lever 26 and engagement of thefriction pad 21 with the chain wheel I1 around which the second chain I8passes.V On such engagement of the friction pad 21 the arm 2| will becaused to move about the axis of the chain wheel shaft and will becaused to abut against the load carrying trolley II which by that timeis clear of the pusher dog or driving abutment I2 on the main conveyorchain I3. Upon abutment of the arm 2| with the trolley II the frictiongrip between the pad 21 and the chain wheel` 2| will be overcome and 4the wheel will slide over said pad. The arrangement is such, however,that when in position abutting the trolley II the arm 2| itself will beengaged by a pusher dog or driving abutment I9 on the second drivingchain i8 as shown in Figure 4 and by virtue of the movement of suchchain a drive will be imparted via the dogor abutment I9 and the arm 2|to said trolley to move the same along the branch track. Due to the factthat the arm 2| rotates about the axis of the chain wheel shaft 20 itwill during a predetermined rotational movement be gradually retractedfrom its position behind the trolley II, which latterv will eventuallybe driven by virtue of the direct contact of the pusher dog or drivingabutment I9 therewith. In order to allow for a smooth take over as thearm 2| recedes from its position between the dog or abutment I9 and thetrolley II, said arm is suitably curved at its outer end. When the arm2| leaves the trolley I I and the drive to the latter is taken overdirectly by the dog I9, the friction drive will again be operativecausing the arm 2| to rotate about the axis of the chain wheel shaft 20.Finally the arm` 2| will be moved around until it reaches its initialposition wherein the roller 24' associated' therewith will be inengagement with the movable section 25 and with such section in itslowermost position the arm 2| will be loweredv to bring the friction pad21 out ofA engagement with the chain wheel I1 so that the cycle of'operation will'.

be completed and the mechanism will again be in a position of rest readyfor further operation. I claim:

l. 1n a conveyor system including a main trackl and at least one branchtrack along Which load l carrying trolleys are adapted to travel, aswitch device whereby such. trolleys may be diverted from said maintrack to the branch track and endless driving chains disposed one aboveeach of said mainand branch tracks, said driving chains being in spaced,horizontal relation at the lconfluence of the main and branch tracks andcarrying depending pusher dogs adapted to engage and to propel the loadcarrying trolleys alongV the respective tracks, the provision of atransfer mechanism disposed at the confluence of the main and branchtracks to move the. trolleys, across the space between the drivingchains, such mechanism comprising a transfer arm` movable angularlyabout a vertical axis. disposed adjacent the confluence of the tracks,said arm having a normal inoperative lowered position and being raisableabout a horizontal axis to an'operative position to` be moved on saidvertical axis,

said arm being of such a length as. to be capable,I when raised to anoperative position, of bridging the centres of the drivingy chains bothin the main and branch tracks, and means, adapted onY switching of atrolley from said main track to the branch track to cause said arm to beraised` to an operative position and thereafter move on.

f thereafter be engaged and propelled by a pusher dog on the drivingchainofthe branch track.

2. Ina conveyor system including a main track and at least one branch`track along which load carrying trolleys are adapted' to travel', aswitch device whereby such trolleys may be diverted from y said maintrack to the, branch track and endless driving chains disposed oneabove, said main and.

branch tracks, each of. said driving chains being, in spaced horizontalrelation at the. confluence branch tracks to move the'trolleys acrossthel spacebetweenthe driving chains,such mechanism comprising a'cornerwheel around which thev driving chain for the branch track passes, saidwheel beingdisposed adjacent the confluence of the main and branchtracks and rotatable about a vertical axis, a transfer arm movableangularly about'th'e axis of rotation of said wheel and movable about ahorizontal axis from a lower inoperative position to a raised operativeposition, means for coupling said arm to said `wheel when it has beenraised to thereafter move angularly therewith, and means adapted, onswitching of a trolley from said main track to the branch track, toraise said arm to render said first-mentioned means effective to couplesaid arm to said wheel and thereby to cause the arm to move angularlyinto engagement with the trolley and also into the path of a pusher dogon the driving chain of the branch track, whereafter due to the actionof said latter driving chain, said arm will be caused to propel thetrolley along the branch track until said trolley reaches a pointwhereat the pusher dog is itself in position to engage and to propel thesame.

3. In a conveyor system including a main track and at least one branchtrack along which load carrying trolleys are adapted to travel, a switchdevice whereby such trolleys may be diverted from said main track to thebranch track and endless driving chains disposed one above said main andbranch tracks, each of said driving chains being in spaced, horizontalrelation at the confluence of the main and branch tracks and carryingdepending pusher dogs adapted to engage and to propel the load carryingtrolleys along the respective tracks, the provision of a transfermechanism disposed at the confluence of the main and branch tracks tomove the trolleys across the space between the driving chains, suchmechanism comprising a corner wheel around which the driving chain forthe branch track passes, said wheel being disposed adjacent theconfluence of the tracks and rotatable about a vertical axis, a transferarm movable angularly about the axis of rotation of said wheel andmovable about a horizontal axis from a lower inoperative position,friction means on said arm and engageable with said wheel when said armis raised from its lower inoperative position to cause said arm to moveangularly with said wheel into engagement with the trolley and also intothe path of a pusher dog on the driving chain of the branch track,Whereafter due to the action of said latter driving chain, said arm willbe caused to propel the trolley along the branch track until saidtrolley reaches a point whereat the pusher dog is itself in position toengage and propel the same, and means controlled by the trolley `as itmoves from the the main track to the branch track to raise said arm toits operative position.

4. In a conveyor system including a main track and at least one branchtrack along which load carrying trolleys are adapted to travel, a switchdevice whereby such trolleys may be diverted from said main track to thebranch track and endless driving chains disposed. one above said mainand branch tracks, each of said driving chains being in spacedhorizontal relation at the confluence of the main and branch tracks andcarrying depending pusher dogs adapted to` engage and to propel the loadcarrying trolleysI alongthe respective tracks,lthe provision ofatransfermechanism disposed at the confluence of the main and'branchtracks to .move the trolleys across the space between the drivingchains, such mechanism lcomprising a corner wheel around which thedriving chain for the branch track passes, said wheel being rotatableabout a verticalvaxis' disposed adjacent the confluence of the. tracks,a normally inoperative transfer arml movable angularlyabout the axis ofrotation of said wheel and pivotally supported for movementl about ahorizontal' axis to be raised to an inoperative position, friction meanson said armand adapted on pivotal movement of the latter to engage saidWheelLthereby-to cause an angular'movement to be imparted to said arm,and means adapted on switching of a trolley from the main track to thebranch track vto effect pivotal movement of said arm about itshorizontal axis, thereby to cause the friction means to engage saidwheel and to cause the arm to move angularly with the latter intoengagement with the trolley and also into the path of a pusher dog inthe drivingchain of the branch track, whereafter due to the action ofsaid latter driving chain, said arm will be caused to propel the trolleyalong the branch track until said trolley reaches a point whereat thepusher dog is itself in position to engage and propel the same, saidmeans for effecting pivotal movement of said arm being normallyinoperative so that when said arm completes one revolution with saidwheel it is free to drop back to its inoperative position.

5. In a conveyor system including a main track and at least one branchtrack along which load carrying trolleys are adapted to travel, a switchdevice whereby such trolleys may be diverted from said main track to thebranch track and endless driving chains disposed one above each of saidmain and branch tracks, said driving chains being in spaced, horizontalrelation at the confluence of the main and branch tracks and carryingdepending pusher dogs adapted to engage and to propel the load carryingtrolleys along the respective tracks, the provision of a transfermechanism disposed at the confluence of the main and branch tracks tomove the trolleys across the space between the driving chains, suchmechanism comprising a corner wheel around which the driving chain ofthe branch track passes, said wheel being adapted to rotate about avertical axis disposed adjacent the confluence of the tracks, a normallyinoperative transfer arm movable angularly about the axis of rotation ofsaid Wheel and pivotally supported for movement about a horizontal axisto be raised to an operative position, a follower on said arm, acircular track beneath a concentric with said wheel with which thefollower is adapted to co-operate, a movable section incorporated insaid track and adapted normally to assume a depressed position inrelation thereto, said follower being normally in engagement with saidmovable section of the track, friction means on said arm, and adapted onpivotal movement of the latter to engage the wheel, thereby to cause anangular movement to be imparted to said arm, and means adapted onswitching of a trolley from the main to the branch track to effectraising of said movable section of the circular track thereby to effectpivotal movement of the arm about its horizontal axis sufricient tocause the friction means to engage said wheel and to cause the arm tomove angularly with the. latter into engagement with thetrolley amitalso into: the path of a pusher dogjn the; driving chain. of theV branchtrack, whereafter.; dueto the. action of saidlatter driving chain saidarm will be caused to. propel the: trolleyv along the branch track untilsaid trolleyy reachesy a point whereat theA pusher dog is itself inposition toV engage and propel. the same^,. said movabl'el'section beingnormally in. a. lowered;` position so.` that when said, arm. completes.a revolution on. said track said follower'will. drop: onto said movable:section backxto.I its inoperative lowered position..

6.... A transfer mechanism asin claim 55. in which the means include apivoted lever disposeda in the pathi of anyv trolley passing fromv the.main. track to.l the branch track, said, lever being; coupled to the;movable section, of. the circular track. sothat on passage. of a.trolley the leverl willi be: pivoted to raise: the movableV sectionwhich in turnraises the transfer. varm said section returning, to, itsinitial position when the trolleyv moves out of contact withtheflever; j'7. A transfer mechanism as in claim 5, in which the friction meanscomprise a. lever pivotally mounted: on the arm, a friction pad carried,by said. lever', and. means on they lever to counterweight the frictionpad in order. to ensure thevl requisiterfrictional engagement betweenthe friction pad. and` the corner Wheel.

References Cited. iny the file of this patent y 'JN'EDy STTES PATENTSName Date Number. Y

Culver i-- Oct. 24 1950

